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Snowmobile fatalities 2023-24
2023-24 Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division Snowmobile Fatality Summary
Last updated: August 21, 2024
Deaths: 4
| # | Date | Time | County | Location | Age/Sex | Alcohol/Drugs present | Residency | Safety Certificate | Pending/Final | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12/02/2023 | 7:30 p.m. | Benzie | Stanley Road | 54/M | Alcohol .103% and cocaine | Michigan | No | Final | Operator traveling eastbound on snow covered county road. Operator failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway which caused the snowmobile to strike an embankment and go airborne. Multiple trees were struck upon leaving the roadway, ejecting the operator. Speed, alcohol and drugs contributing factors with crash. |
| 2 | 01/10/2024 | 6 p.m. | Charlevoix | Private property | 46/M | Alcohol .166% | Michigan | No | Final | While operating on a private property railroad grade, operator attempted to drive under a tree that was blown down across the trail. Operator struck his face on the tree while passing underneath, sustaining fatal head injuries. Helmet was being worn at the time of the crash. |
| 3 | 02/19/2024 | 9:41 p.m. | Chippewa | Trail 47/M-123 | 72/M | Alcohol .173% | Michigan | No | Final | While operating on a groomed snowmobile trail, the snowmobile failed to negotiate a left turn in the trail. The snowmobile left the trail and collided with a tree, ejecting the operator into the tree. Snowmobile subsequently caught on fire and was destroyed. Alcohol and speed are contributing factors associated with the crash. |
| 4 | 02/22/2024 | 4 p.m. | Schoolcraft | Indian Lake | 15/M | None | Michigan | Yes | Final | Snowmobile through the ice. |